The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Soon, led by Granny Su, Liu Rusi walked into the inner chamber of Jiaofang Palace with her head bowed and eyes lowered.

Ulan Yunduan sat on the phoenix chair, his gaze fixed on her, filled with scrutiny and mockery.

"Get up," Wulan Yun said calmly. "I never expected you to have such a background."

"His Majesty just arrived and said that it is improper for you, as a descendant of the Liu family, to remain in the palace as a slave. He wants to bestow upon you the title of County Princess, grant you a title and a mansion, and allow you to leave the palace to live a life of luxury."

Liu Rusi was startled, but dared not show it on her face. She had just stood up when she immediately knelt down again without hesitation:

"Your Majesty, the Empress is wise. His Highness Prince Xiaoyao had already revealed some details of this matter to me before."

Wulan Yun raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Then what's your choice?"

Liu Rusi took a deep breath. Although she was secretly planning how to climb into the emperor's bed and give birth to a prince, all she could show at this moment was loyalty.

She raised her head, her eyes sincere: "Your Highness has shown me great kindness, rescuing me from places like the brothel. I am deeply grateful and have no way to repay you."

"This servant is willing to stay in the palace, to stay by Your Highness and the Prince's side, and to share your burdens and difficulties."

Looking at her seemingly loyal appearance, Wulan Yun sneered inwardly.

She gave up her honor as a county princess and insisted on trying to squeeze into the cannibalistic harem, attempting to curry favor with His Majesty. She is truly demeaning and repulsive.

But she didn't show it at all.

Now that Shen Qingruo is the sole favorite and her influence is at its peak, she needs someone to share her favor and stir up the turbulent waters.

Although Liu Rusi has an awkward status and considerable ambition, it is precisely because of this that she is easy to manipulate.

Letting her fight with that vixen Shen Qingruo is the most advantageous choice for me.

"Since you have this intention, I will not refuse your wish." Wulan Yun's tone softened.

"Don't worry, your status as a county princess will not mistreat you; you will receive all the respect and dignity you deserve."

"At the same time, I will also petition His Majesty, saying that you are new to the capital and unfamiliar with the place, so please stay in the Jiaofang Palace to learn the rules and etiquette of the palace, so that I can take care of you."

She paused slightly, looking at Liu Rusi's bright eyes, and continued:

"As for the future, whether you can gain favor with His Majesty and bring honor to your Liu family depends on your own efforts and fate."

"I will naturally create some opportunities for you."

Upon hearing this, Liu Rusi was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed deeply: "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness! This servant will certainly do my utmost and will never fail Your Majesty's cultivation and expectations!"

Wu Lanyun watched her bowed back, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.

"Get up, Granny Su. Take Miss Liu... no, take Princess Liu to settle down. She can stay in the west wing hall."

"Yes."

Liu Rusi thanked her again before following Granny Su to leave.

As she turned around, a determined glint flashed in her eyes.

-

The following day, Shen Jingyan finally moved into a side hall of Yilan Palace after much procrastination.

As soon as her luggage was settled, she took her personal maid Bizhu and went to the main hall.

Shen Qingruo sat languidly on the wooden chair at the head of the table, her black hair adorned with a pearl hairpin.

Shen Jingyan lowered her eyes, walked into the hall, and curtsied according to etiquette, her voice steady and calm: "Greetings to the Imperial Concubine."

A palace maid handed over a teacup, which Shen Jingyan accepted and presented with both hands.

Shen Qingruo extended her slender white fingers, took the cup of tea, but did not drink it.

Her gaze fell on Shen Jingyan's lowered head, her voice soft yet carrying a clear question: "Sister, do you hate me?"

Shen Jingyan's fingertips twitched slightly, and she forced a smile: "Your Highness is joking. How can you talk about hatred?"

She paused, then lowered her voice even further, "And this title of 'elder sister' is no longer something I can bear."

Shen Qingruo smiled gently and casually placed the cup of tea aside.

She tilted her head, as if genuinely curious: "When we were little, you secretly took me out of the royal court to play. Were you truly sincere back then?"

Before Shen Jingyan could answer, Shen Qingruo answered her own question, "Now that I think about it, it shouldn't be like that."

"You just need an obedient follower to make you look good."

"And when the Great Zhou Dynasty was first established, His Majesty was still my father. He only occasionally gave me a little attention, but you were so arrogant and made things difficult for me both openly and secretly."

"Shen Jingyan, do you think that all the best things in the world, all the most fatherly love, should belong to you alone, and that no one else deserves even a little bit?"

"Just because someone else has been involved, does that give you the right to harm them as if it's all justified?"

She looked at Shen Jingyan's tense jaw and said softly, "You should know that at first, I just wanted to be like you and get more of his attention."

Shen Jingyan suddenly raised her head, met Shen Qingruo's clear and bright eyes, and couldn't help but argue.

Her voice was shrill, "Yes! That's just how domineering I am!"

"Why should I? Why should Father Emperor's attention be given to you?"

"In the past, I was the only princess in his eyes and heart."

"I just hate it! I'm just petty! I just don't want to!"

"Don't tell me you're not Father's biological daughter. Even if you were, what I, Shen Jingyan, want, I will have all of alone. No one can take it away!"

Seeing her agitated state, Shen Qingruo smiled instead, a pure smile tinged with coldness: "So, being petty means hurting others?"

Shen Jingyan went all out. Although she was kneeling on the ground, she still raised her chin and retorted with her innate arrogance:

"I'm not a powerless princess like you, who has to live at the mercy of others."

"I have power and influence, so naturally I'm not comfortable with it. I can bully whoever I want!"

Shen Qingruo nodded, finally understanding, her tone even carrying a hint of agreement: "I see."

"From childhood to adulthood, I have longed for it so much, but I could only envy it, restrain myself, and suffer in silence, which made me depressed."

"Nowadays, just as you said, it feels so good to have power and influence, to bully whoever you want."

Before she finished speaking, she reached out, picked up the teacup again, lifted the lid, and with a flick of her wrist, poured the entire cup of tea, along with the unfurled tea leaves, onto Shen Jingyan's head and face.

Shen Jingyan froze, closed her eyes, and bit her lower lip tightly to keep from crying out.

She could feel the tea flowing down her neck and into her collar; humiliation and anger churned in her chest, almost bursting out of her.

But she held back.

She was waiting. She was hoping.

Today is the first day that Father Emperor asked her to move to Yilan Palace. Will Father Emperor come?

Whenever her father came and saw her like this, she could feign pitifulness to win his pity and make him dislike Shen Qingruo.

Seeing her suppressing her resentment, Shen Qingruo casually placed the empty teacup back on the table, her tone light:

"For example, right now, I feel much more relaxed."